ALAMEDA — The union of one of the most heavily fined players in the NFL with a franchise synonymous with playing to the whistle and beyond was made official Tuesday when linebacker Vontaze Burfict signed a one-year contract with the Raiders.

The Raiders announced the signing, which was reported initially by NFL Media.

Burfict, 28, was released by the Bengals Monday. His defensive coordinator in Cincinnati was through 2017 was Paul Guenther, who now has the same position for the Raiders. In a conference call with Bay Area reporters, Burfict said the first call after learning of his release was to his mother. The second was to Guenther.

“He didn’t pick up at first. I think I called hims even times straight,” Burfict said.

Suspended in each of the last three seasons, Burfict missed the first four games of the season in 2018 for being in violation of the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. Upon his return, Burfict was hampered by a hip injury and concussions, and had only 33 tackles.

Burfict has lost more than $4 million in wages for suspensions and fines over the course of his career but has no intention of changing the way he plays.

“Football’s football,” Burfict said. “Every team plays a little bit after the whistle. It’s just a matter if the ref catches it, you know what I mean?”

Asked directly if he was a dirty player, Burfict said, “I’m not a dirty player. I play a physical position, which is middle linebacker, outside linebacker. That’s physical. I can’t go out there playing patty cake. If I go out there playing patty cake, then I’m going to be getting run over. I’ve got 300-pound-plus linemen coming and trying to block me. And if I play soft, then I’m not doing my job.”

Because of either suspensions of injuries, Burfict has missed 37 games over the last five seasons and hasn’t played in all 16 games since 2013. He made the Pro Bowl that season and had a career high 104 tackles. He passed his physical and said the concussions (it’s been reported he’s had as many as seven) are not a concern.

“Honestly, some of the concussions I passed on the concussion protocol, and sometimes the team told me to go to the locker room,” Burfict said. “I can’t fight the trainers. But football’s a dangerous sport like that. I’m totally fine. I got my physical and I passed it. I wouldn’t have been signed by the Raiders if I wasn’t good.”

Burfict was twice fined for personal fouls against Antonio Brown, the Pittsburgh wide receiver traded to the Raiders last weeks. Burfct anticipates no problems.

“It’s all fun and games, man,” Burfict said. “We’re on the same team. It’s one goal. We might (end up) being the closest friends on the team . . . I can’t wait to meet him.”

Burfict’s deal has a maximum value of $5 million, according to NFL Media.

No hard feelings, apparently, as Brown on Twitter later in the evening he’d talked to Burfict.

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Linebackers who visited the Raiders Monday, according to NFL Network, included Manti Te’o (New Orleans) and Aaron Lynch (Chicago). Teo played in five games with a knee injury last season. Lynch also played for the 49ers from 2013 through 2017 and last season played in 13 games for the Bears with three starts.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders will also be taking a look at Nevin Lawson, a cornerback who started 54 games for the Detroit Lions over the past four seasons. Lawson reportedly will visit the Raiders Wednesday.

Former Lions’ CB Nevin Lawson is visiting the Raiders on Wednesday, per source.

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